We've been waiting some time for an M-badged 1 Series. BMW says its M Division was too busy on other projects to fit it in. Until now. Well, until spring 2011 to be precise, when the 1 Series M Coupé goes on sale. Having been teased with a passenger ride in July, Car Enthusiast has finally had the opportunity to drive a pre-production version of the new Coupé.

In the Metal

As you can see, the car remains under mild camouflage (until December apparently). That can't hide the chunky stance though. It's defined by the width of the track, which is a full 80mm wider than the 135i's. This is determined by the rear axle, which is lifted wholesale from the BMW M3. Rims of 19-inch in diameter will be standard too so squint at the pictures and you're essentially seeing how the new car will look. Yup, with quad exhausts and a tiny lip spoiler on the rear boot lid. We do wonder if BMW will launch the 1 M with a new 1 Series face, as that's surely just around the corner.

The interior of the pre-production car we drove was far from finished, though it has been confirmed that bespoke light grey instruments will feature, as will bucket seats.

What you get for your Money

This is anyone's guess really, as the price for the 1 Series M Coupé won't be announced until the end of 2010. It needs to be less than £40,000 to be taken seriously, though of course there's a VAT increase in January, which won't help. A six-speed manual gearbox will be the only transmission option and the only wheels offered will be 19-inch in diameter. Oh, and we can dispel a few rumours: this is not a limited production model and yes, it will also be sold in the United States.

Driving it

While the 1 M sounds much like the 135i at idle (perhaps a little louder), as soon as you first turn the steering wheel it feels quite different. It's noticeably wider while negotiating tight parking spots, but that matters little when you hit the open road. Then it gets really interesting.

In essence, the 1 Series M Coupé takes the best bits from the Z4 sDrive35is, the M3 and the 1 Series Coupé. The straight-six, twin-turbocharged engine is based on that in the Z4, and though the final homologated figures have yet to be released, we believe peak power is 335bhp and torque is about 340lb.ft. That last figure is significantly more than the M3 has incidentally, and it's what defines the power delivery. It's creamy smooth and urgent from low revs, with a distinct rise in accelerative force as both turbos deliver their best in the mid-range. Our only minor criticism is that it runs out of steam towards the redline so it isn't a car you'll be hitting the rev limiter in regularly.

The six-speed manual gearbox is lifted from the M3, so it retains that car's slightly springy action, but is swift and slick enough. As mentioned, the rear axle, incorporating the M differential, is also borrowed from the M3. It doesn't look like any customisation of its setting will be available in the 1 M, but it's still effective. Our relatively short drive revealed instant turn-in and a playful rear end - though it moves about in a safe, predictable manner. In fact, the overriding impression of the car is one of unflappable stability. That's particularly true under braking and over mid-corner bumps. It features standard fixed damping and steel springs by the way, and adaptive damping will not be offered. Two different throttle maps and various stages of traction control will be the extent of driver customisation available.

Worth Noting

BMW brought along a brace of E30 M3s so we could compare the new 1 Series M Coupé to its granddaddy. Apparently the developers of the 1 M used it as inspiration. The idea is one of back to basics - or relatively at least. Hence the lack of as many driver customisation options as in the bigger M cars; no automatic gearbox option; one size of wheel; and one body style. The 1 Series M Coupé is about 85kg lighter than the M3 Coupé, which makes it around 1,500kg.

Summary

The 1 Series M Coupé is one of those cars that could have been a big disappointment. After all, it's difficult not to get excited about a new M car, especially one that supposedly takes its brief from the very first M3. First impressions suggest that buyers are in for a treat.

Only 85 kg lighter? 1M have to be a real pig. E92 M3 is so bulky than E36 M3 will eat my car on certain tracks right away. E30 is even more agile and handles better. Even though I haven't driven 1M yet, hard to believe that there is something in common with these two cars.

Still, I suppose 1M is a very nice car, but far from lightweight track weapon.

Looks like they "miscalculeted" the weight difference to the M3 Coupé: they're expecting 1500kg (in sync with others), but this is 155kg lighter than the M3 Coupé 6MT and 175kg ligther than the M3 Coupé 7DCT.

What I find interesting is that the claim the "limited production" rumor to be false. Good for us potential buyers who wish to drive the car first before making a decision. At least those of us who want the car wont get ripped off be stealers as well.

It promises to be a nice car for sure, especially with the lsd and widened track. No doubt the suspension too is a couple of notches above the factory 135's. But if their estimate of 335bhp and 340 tq is accurate (esp with a 1500kg weight), it will remain to the aftermarket to make it a "monster". Price will determine whether this car is really a better starting point (than a 135) for the modder.

Meh............I must be the only person here that i'm not a fan of this car.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar it does not add up. Especially if you are a current owner of a 135i.
I'm looking forward to picking up a CPO 2009+ M3 for less $$$$"s, and even a 2008 M5 with the Hand build V-10 also trumps the M1 coupe.
With my 135i in hand, i can get the M3 suspension bits, and a LSD, GIAC flash and i'll be having just as much fun as the people driving the M1 coupe.
Again this is my take on this................thanks for reading.

the most over-hyped car of the decade and it is not even released yet; seriously, buy a stripped 135 and send it to Dinan for the Signature 3 Package and it will whip this 1M everywhere, plus you will save money over a 1M

Meh............I must be the only person here that i'm not a fan of this car.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar it does not add up. Especially if you are a current owner of a 135i.
I'm looking forward to picking up a CPO 2009+ M3 for less $$$$"s, and even a 2008 M5 with the Hand build V-10 also trumps the M1 coupe.
With my 135i in hand, i can get the M3 suspension bits, and a LSD, GIAC flash and i'll be having just as much fun as the people driving the M1 coupe.
Again this is my take on this................thanks for reading.

Could you get a new 135i plus all that stuff, installed, for $9k? What about the widebody? Also, if it matters, what about warranty and resale value?

Meh............I must be the only person here that i'm not a fan of this car.
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar it does not add up. Especially if you are a current owner of a 135i.
I'm looking forward to picking up a CPO 2009+ M3 for less $$$$"s, and even a 2008 M5 with the Hand build V-10 also trumps the M1 coupe.
With my 135i in hand, i can get the M3 suspension bits, and a LSD, GIAC flash and i'll be having just as much fun as the people driving the M1 coupe.
Again this is my take on this................thanks for reading.

Youre not the only one...plus the M1 body is a bit too much for me.

__________________

Originally Posted by corneredbeastAn engine from a Z06 Corvette. A differential from a Vespa. Damn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Severious

Its because a lot of BMW owners are housewives or business professionals and know little about cars other than BMW's are a status symbol in their own circles so that have to have one. But exotic car owners know cars, that's why they are willing to spend for a killer car and they know something different when they see one.

The car must be fulfilling BMWs objectives. These exact comments about style, and performance, were exactly what was being talkied about when the 88 E30 M3 was being launched. People said it had too much "boy racer" style. I remember. I had a '86 E30 325i, and upgraded the suspension, tires, wheels and thought the car felt great. I thought no way the M3 could be better. Sure enough, it was better out of the box than my modified E30 325i. In less than a year I had one.